Stimulants |
An agent (as a drug) that produces a temporary increase of the functional activity or efficiency of an organism or any of its parts
Source: Merriam-Webster On-line Web dictionary
What is Cocaine? Cocaine, which was used over 100 years ago, comes from the leaves of the coca plant. In the United States, cocaine is considered a stimulant and is highly addictive. Cocaine is the most potent stimulant that is created from a natural source. The scientific name of cocaine when it first comes from the coca leaf is Erythroxylon Coca. When we think of cocaine, we think of cocaine hydrochloride, the white powder form which is mixed with hydrochloric acid. Crack and freebase are similar in which the powder is processed to extract impurities of cocaine hydrochloride. Crack cocaine is processed with ammonia or baking soda and water. This mixture is heated and takes out the hydrochloride. Freebase cocaine also extracts hydrochloride, however, the process involves highly explosive solvents and requires significant preparation time and equipment. The product of the freebase method is "pure" cocaine. Pure cocaine was found German chemist, Albert Niemann, in the mid-19th century. He introduced the substance as an ingredient in medicine for people with real or imagined illnesses. Later, it was used as a local anesthesia for eye, ear, and throat surgery. Today, small amounts of cocaine are still use for these surgeries.
What are Other Names for Cocaine? Coke, C, snow, flake, blow.
How is it Used? The powder form is either snorted or injected. Crack cocaine is smoked through pipes and produces a faster “high” than powder form.
What are the Effects? The immediate effects are a feeling confident, excited or upset, aggressive, more energetic, alert, and risk-taking. Excessive use of any form may lead to seizures and death from respiratory failure, stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, or heart failure. Chronic users suffer from coughing, shortness of breath, and severe chest pains with lung trauma and bleeding. Snorting cocaine can lead to nose bleeds and sinus problems. Injection can lead to sores with puss, blood poisoning, and disease, like HIV. Smoking causes several respiratory problems.
Are There Withdrawal Symptoms? YES. They include craving for more cocaine, feeling of sickness, weakness, tiredness, shaking and muscle pain.
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What is Methamphetamine? It is a stimulant drug that is chemically similar to its parent drug, amphetamine, but has a greater effect on the central nervous system. Amphetamine was discovered in a German lab in 1887. Japan discovered the smoked form of amphetamine, better known as “ice” in 1919. During the 1930s, methamphetamine was commercially sold as a nasal decongestant. During World War II, soldiers used the drug to delay fatigue. It was also commonly used as an appetite suppressant. Today, methamphetamine use is limited in medical treatment of attention deficit disorder, obesity, and narcolepsy. A doctor’s approval is necessary to obtain these drugs. However, most people think of methamphetamine as the illegal street drug. These drugs are usually homemade. People can look on the internet for information on how to make their own “meth” labs. The main ingredient is an over-the-counter stimulant (like ephedrine) and other hazardous chemicals. Methamphetamine is considered “poor man’s” cocaine because the effects are similar, but less costly to produce.
What are Other Names for Methamphetamine? Meth, Crank, Speed, Crystal-meth, Glass, Ice are street names for the drug. The different names refer to the different ways methamphetamine is made.
How is it Used? Crystal meth is the powder form that can be injected, snorted, or swallowed. It is generally cheaper than coke or heroin on the street. Ice is a concentrated and very potent form of crystal meth. Ice comes in tiny chunks and looks like translucent glass. It is smoked in a glass pipe like crack/cocaine. The smoke is odorless and colorless. The residue can also be smoked again.
What are the Effects? A small amount of meth can produce euphoria, increased alertness, paranoia, decreased appetite, and increased physical activity. Other central nervous system effects include athetosis (jerking or flailing movements), irritability, extreme nervousness, insomnia, confusion, tremors, anxiety, aggression, incessant talking, hypothermia, and convulsions. The latter two can result in death. Long-term effects include fatal kidney and lung disorders, brain and liver damage, blood clots, chronic depression, hallucinations, violent and aggressive behavior, malnutrition, disturbed personality development, and other mental disorders.
What are the Effects in Pregnancy? Babies tend to be anti-social, incapable of bonding, have tremors, birth defects, and cry for 24 hours without stopping. There is also an increased risk of child abuse and neglect of children born to parent who use methamphetamines.
Where did it Originate? The word “tobacco” came from the Native American pipe called “tobago”, which they used as long as 2000 years ago to smoke the leaves of the tobacco plant. The Native Americans were the first in recorded history to use tobacco for religious and medicinal purposes. When Christopher Columbus sailed to America, he was introduced to tobacco. He brought some back with him to Spain. Other European travelers began spreading tobacco around the world. The dried tobacco leaves were rolled into cigars and cigarettes. Cigarettes became popular because it was small and convenient to carry and use.
How is it Used? Tobacco comes in two basic forms: smoke and smokeless.
What are the Effects? Isn't it interesting to note that people thought tobacco cured health problems? Ask anyone today, and he or she will tell you that smoking tobacco causes health problems that can lead to an early death. Tobacco contains nicotine, a highly addictive drug. When smoked, at least 43 cancer-causing chemical compounds enter the body. Smoking causes lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, emphysema, and other respiratory problems and diseases. These smokers are also prone to other oral and laryngeal cancers. Some people think that smokeless tobacco, like chewing tobacco, is less harmful than smoking cigars, cigarettes, or pipes. However, that is not true. Chewing tobacco is considered probable causes to mouth and throat cancers. Any kind of cancer is dangerous to the body.
What's in a Cigarette?
**Some tobacco companies reduce nicotine in cigarettes, but add other chemicals to maintain a person's addiction.
Who’s Influencing You? Peers and peer pressure might seem to be the cause of the pre-teen and teen population to be "lighting up," but in reality, the tobacco companies are doing the most influencing. These companies, obviously not interested in the health of their users, are very rich and use their money and the media to get young people to start smoking. Tobacco companies attract young people, hoping that they will become addicted and spend a good part of their life buying cigarettes. They will lure them through the media: movies, television, radio, and printed material (magazines). The best group to target is teenagers because they are in transition to adulthood. They want to practice the ways of adults, especially those that they admire. If they see their favorite role model smoking or using a tobacco product, then the teenager would want to imitate that action.
Have you taken notice of some food products and candy marketed to little kids and teens? In the grocery store, you can find bubble gum and shredded beef jerky imitating smokeless tobacco products. These food products are packaged very similar to the adult smokeless tobacco products. These are all subtle ways to lure children into using the real product, which may cause years of addiction and health problems.
*If you would like more information about Stimulants, check out the Resources page.
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